Cllr Imraan Moosa will soon become the second Al Mama-ah MP. [Picture: Al Jama-ah]
Five years ago, Al Jama-ah made history by becoming the first Muslim political party to make it to the National Assembly (NA) with just one seat. Now, after bagging another seat, it vows to challenge policies that go against Islamic values.
Imraan Moosa, currently ward councillor in Lenasia, Johannesburg, will soon join party president Ganief Hendricks as its second deployee to parliament.
Speaking in an interview on Salaamedia on Monday, he said gay marriages, the LGBTQIA+ agenda and abortion will be among the issues they will challenge.
“I’m hoping that with the power of Almighty somewhere along the line we can influence to amend those laws when it comes to gay marriages, LGBTQ, abortion et cetera,” he said.
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The results of Wednesday’s election marked a seismic shift in South Africa’s political landscape. While Al Jama-ah and several newcomers gained seats in the NA, top members of the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will soon be out of jobs.
The ANC lost grip of its majority for the first time in thirty years, forcing it to enter into coalition talks – even with its capitalist foe, the Democratic Alliance (DA). The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) supplanted the EFF as the third-largest party.
Despite sparking mild controversy over its association with the likes of false prophet Shepherd Bushiri, Al Jama-ah still went from 31,468 votes in 2019 to 39 067 in 2024.
Every seat now counts as parties scramble to form a coalition arrangement that will install the new government. That puts parties like Al Jama-ah in a more powerful position, as potential power brokers.
But Moosa said it was still too early to tell who they would work with, as policies need to be considered before the organisation can join hands with anyone.
“We’ve got to be very careful as to how we align ourselves. That needs careful thought before we align ourselves with any party, but that’s still premature at this stage,” he said.
Beloved Councilor of Ward 9 in Lenasia Imraan Moosa of Al Jama-ah scoops seat in Parliament. #SAElections24 #SAElections24SM @salaamedia @julie_onair https://t.co/49KgtWbP6I
— Salaamedia Stream (@SalaamediaLive) June 3, 2024
